IMB have reported that a vessel was attacked by pirates. All crew are reported to be in the citadel. Nigerian Navy authorities have been informed and are responding.
WARNING 001/MAY/2020
1. Category: BOARDING
2. Description: A vessel has been boarded. The last known position was 02°15N – 005°09E (206°/134Nm off Brass, NIGERIA) on 20th May at 17:34 UTC. Mariners are advised to exercise extreme caution in this area.
3. Source: Local authorities
4. Any queries regarding this Warning Notice ring 0033 298 22 88 88 for further information.
The vessel in question is believed to be the Cypriot cargo flagged ESL AUSTRALIA.
This is the 5th such incident to occur within 100nm of the southern fringe of the Nigerian EEZ within 2020. Within 2019 there were 4 incidents within 50nm of this incident. The incident analysis shows an increase in reporting in this area across a 3 year period which is in contrast with a wider declining trend of overall incidents over the same period.